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Dubai 48-Hour & 96-Hour Transit Visa for Nepalis: Free vs AED 50 Explained

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Dubai 48-Hour & 96-Hour Transit Visa for Nepalis: Free vs AED 50 Explained
TL;DR

UAE transit visa, Nepali passport (2026): processing 2–4 working days, stay 48 hours or 96 hours. Apply through Embassy of the United Arab Emirates — Kathmandu / VFS Global UAE Attestation Centre — Kathmandu. Carry certified English translations and a consistent flight + hotel + itinerary.

Key takeaways

  • Fee varies by visa class — confirm on the official portal.
  • Processing time: 2–4 working days.
  • Allowed stay: 48 hours or 96 hours.
  • Apply at: Embassy of the United Arab Emirates — Kathmandu (VFS Global UAE Attestation Centre — Kathmandu).
  • Certified English translations are mandatory for Nepali-language documents.
The UAE transit visa for Nepali citizens has a fee that depends on the visa class and takes 2–4 working days to process, allowing a stay of 48 hours or 96 hours. Apply Sponsored exclusively by a UAE-based airline (Emirates or Etihad) — the airline applies and approves before travel. Cannot be appli…

UAE transit visa for Nepali citizens (2026). Dubai 48-Hour & 96-Hour Transit Visa for Nepalis: Free vs AED 50 Explained — verified against Embassy of the United Arab Emirates — Kathmandu and updated when the rules change. processing 2–4 working days; allowed stay 48 hours or 96 hours. Below: the official figures, the document checklist, proof-of-funds guidance, the embassy contact, and the mistakes that get Nepali files refused.

How to apply for the UAE transit visa from Nepal — step by step

  1. Confirm the route — Sponsored exclusively by a UAE-based airline (Emirates or Etihad) — the airline applies and approves before travel. Cannot be applied directly by the traveller.
  2. Assemble documents — gather the checklist below, with certified English translations.
  3. Book & pay — submit the application and pay the fee (Varies by visa class — confirm on the official portal); give biometrics if asked.
  4. Track — processing runs 2–4 working days; collect the passport or download the e-visa on approval.

Transit Visa — key facts

Visa classTransit Visa
Government feeVaries by visa class — confirm on the official portal
Processing time2–4 working days
Allowed stay48 hours or 96 hours
Validity30 days from issuance for use; the stay clock starts on entry
EntriesSingle entry, non-extendable
How to applySponsored exclusively by a UAE-based airline (Emirates or Etihad) — the airline applies and approves before travel. Cannot be applied directly by the traveller

Documents UAE asks Nepali applicants for

  • Original passport — Valid for at least 6 months beyond intended entry date, with at least 2 blank visa pages.
  • Passport bio-page scan — Clear colour scan of the data page (PDF/JPEG, both sides if required).
  • Passport-size photograph — Recent colour photo, white background, 43 × 55 mm, head straight, both ears visible, no glasses.
  • Citizenship copy — Photocopy of Nepali citizenship certificate, both sides.
  • Confirmed onward airline ticket — Showing departure from the UAE to a third country within 48 / 96 hours of arrival.
  • Visa for the onward country (if applicable) — Required where the destination country requires one.

Proof of funds for the UAE transit visa

As a Nepali applicant, show a 3–6 month bank statement plus income proof matched to your source: salary slips and an employer/leave letter if you're employed, business registration (PAN/VAT) and tax clearance if self-employed, or a sponsor's bank statement and a notarised sponsorship letter if someone funds your trip. Money that lands suddenly just before you apply is a common refusal trigger — keep the balance steady for months.

Processing time, validity & extension

Plan for 2–4 working days once UAE has a complete file. The visa is valid 30 days from issuance for use; the stay clock starts on entry and lets you stay 48 hours or 96 hours (Single entry, non-extendable). Apply at least 3–4 weeks before departure; festivals and embassy holidays in both countries can stretch the window. If you need longer in UAE, ask about the in-country extension rule before your stay expires — overstaying jeopardises every future application.

Before you apply: the Nepal-side prep

Every Nepali-language document — citizenship certificate, birth or marriage certificate, property papers, income proof — must be submitted with a notary-certified English translation. Carry the original plus one photocopy of each, and make sure your name is spelled identically everywhere: passport, ticket, hotel booking and bank statement. A single mismatch is enough to trigger a query.

Why UAE files get refused — and how to avoid it

  • Inconsistent funds — a balance that jumps right before applying.
  • Missing translations — Nepali documents submitted without certified English versions.
  • Mismatched dates — the flight, hotel and itinerary don't line up.
  • Weak ties to Nepal — no job, study, property or family pull to return to.
  • Wrong visa class — applying as a tourist for a work or study purpose.

Where Nepalis apply

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates — Kathmandu
Panipokhari, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977 1 421 7776
Email: [email protected]
Official site: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/missions/kathmandu
Visa centre: VFS Global UAE Attestation Centre — Kathmandu, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal — handles document attestation only (police clearance, education, experience, marriage certificates) for the UAE Embassy.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the UAE transit visa cost from Nepal?

The government fee varies by visa class — check the official portal, plus Nepal-side costs (photos, certified translations, bank statements, and any visa-centre charge).

How long does the UAE transit visa take for Nepali citizens?

Allow 2–4 working days from a complete submission. Apply 3–4 weeks before travel to absorb peak-season and document-request delays.

What documents do Nepalis need for the UAE transit visa?

Passport (6+ months), photos, bank statements / proof of funds, a confirmed flight and hotel, and purpose-specific letters — with notary-certified English translations of Nepali-language documents.

Where do Nepali citizens apply for a UAE visa?

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates — Kathmandu, Panipokhari, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal, or the visa centre VFS Global UAE Attestation Centre — Kathmandu. Online: https://icp.gov.ae (Federal — non-Dubai emirates) · https://gdrfa.gov.ae (Dubai).

Get your supporting documents ready

Most UAE visa files need a confirmed onward flight, a hotel reservation and, for tourist and visit classes, a day-by-day itinerary — with dates that match across all three. Generate embassy-ready documents in minutes:

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About Sandeep Kumar Chaudhary

Founder, Yatra For Fun Pvt Ltd

Sandeep Kumar Chaudhary founded Yatra For Fun in Kathmandu after a decade running visa applications for Nepali pilgrims, students, and business travellers. He writes the visa-document guides personally and verifies every fee and process before publication.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

  1. Embassy of the United Arab Emirates — Kathmandu — official site
  2. UAE official visa portal

Update log

  • factualInitial publication from embassy_infoSandeep Kumar Chaudhary